July 8, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2020


University of Alaska Board of Regents announces
a series of meetings to select interim president

WHO:          The University of Alaska Board of Regents.

WHAT:       The University of Alaska Board of Regents will meet later this week and next week to finalize the selection of an interim president for the University of Alaska System. The board expects that an interim president will be appointed on or about July 15 and will serve in the interim role for up to 18 months. The schedule of meetings will be to select finalists for the position, conduct interviews with them and finalize the appointment of an interim president for the University of Alaska System. The process for selecting an interim president can be found at https://www.alaska.edu/pres/interim/.

Board agendas will be available later today on BoardDocs at https://www.alaska.edu/bor/agendas/

WHEN:      The Board of Regents meetings include:

  • Thursday, July 9, 1-3 p.m.: The board will discuss and adopt attributes for the interim president, evaluate the candidate pool and select a short list of finalists. The discussion of candidates will be in executive session.
     
  • Friday, July 10, 9-10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: The board will announce the list of finalists during the morning meeting and conduct candidate interviews in executive session during the morning and afternoon meetings.
     
  • Monday, July 13, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.: The board will continue its candidate interviews in executive session.
     
  • Tuesday, July 14, 11 a.m. -1 p.m.: The board will meet in public session to provide an overview of the interview process then move into executive session to select the interim president. An announcement will follow in open session.

WHERE:      Except for the executive sessions, the board meetings will be live streamed at www.alaska.edu/bor/live/

BACKGROUND:  On June 30, the Board of Regents met to approve the process for appointing an interim president following UA President Jim Johnsen’s resignation. Michelle Rizk, Vice President of University Relations & Chief Strategy, Planning and Budget Officer, has been serving as acting president. Over the past several weeks, regents have met with 16 stakeholder groups including alumni, faculty, student, community leaders and university staff to compile a list of attributes to consider when selecting the interim president. Additionally, the board has been accepting nominations of those interested in the position. The candidate pool will be reviewed by the board using the attributes adopted at the July 9 meeting.
                                                                                         
                                                                                                                    --30 –

For more information, contact Roberta Graham, associate vice president of public affairs at 907-360-2416 (cell).